To the CureSearch Community:

Like you, we’re closely monitoring the current situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and following national and local recommendations for precautionary measures, travel and community gatherings. We also recognize that many of us interact with immune-compromised children on a daily basis and that it’s important to exercise an abundance of caution. 

With the safety of our patient families, volunteers and staff top of mind, we have made the decision to postpone all events scheduled between now and May 8th, including our annual CureSearch Summit and our Lone Star and Foothills Ultimate Hike events. Anyone impacted by these changes will receive additional updates directly over the coming days and weeks. We hope that you’ll continue to participate in and support these important events; they are critical in our ability to drive our mission forward.

We’ll continue to monitor the situation both nationally and locally and are creating contingency plans, if needed, for all other upcoming events. Updates will follow. If you are planning to host your own event in the coming weeks, please take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of your event participants and adhere to your local public health department and CDC recommendations.

We encourage everyone to follow CDC guidelines to help lower risk of infection, including limiting close social contact, staying home when sick, frequent hand washing and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. If you are a childhood cancer patient family, please stay in touch with your home (treating) institution and treating team for additional information. Your hospital’s website should have the most up-to-date information.

We’re grateful to our entire community for their support, patience and flexibility during this time as we take all precautions to ensure the safety of our participants, volunteers and staff. Despite the challenges we face, it’s important to remember that our kids can’t wait for new, better cancer treatments.That’s why we’ll continue to raise funds, support new research, and drive critical collaborations to accelerate the pace of pediatric drug development. We can’t do it without you. Thank you for your continued commitment and support.

Sincerely,

For the most up to date information on COVID-19, visit the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

The post COVID-19 Impact and Action appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

Frank Gioscia, 68, is training for his tenth CureSearch Hike while raising $113,000 for children’s cancer research! He has done it by lacing up his hiking boots and hitting the trails at CureSearch Ultimate Hike events.

“It was easy for me to get involved with CureSearch. In July 2011, a friend handed me a flyer about the Ultimate Hike. I went to a meeting and the rest is history,” Frank shared. Shortly after he got started, the young son of a family friend was diagnosed with cancer. He was just 6 years old. “I’ve been hiking for Gavin for years. Thankfully, he has been remission for 5 years now. The truth is, I hike for all children with cancer.” 

This will be Frank’s tenth year hiking to help fund cutting-edge childhood cancer research. For the first three years, he trekked the Foothills Trail in South Carolina. Then he went on to master the Tecumseh Trail in Indiana for 6 years. In 2020, he plans to return to South Carolina to tackle the Southeast Ultimate Hike on the Foothills Trail.  

“I keep coming back because it is such a great cause. It is life changing for me. You don’t know how blessed you are until you see what these families are going through. I have two children and grandchildren. With CureSearch, I can give back to families who need it.”

The 68-year-old stays in prime shape through his passion of hiking which he does year-round in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, which is less than an hour from his home. “With CureSearch, my hiking took on new meaning. As I finish an Ultimate Hike, I see all of the pictures of the kids who are fighting cancer and those who lost their battle. I am so thankful that I can do this for them. It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.” 

CureSearch Ultimate Hikes take place on iconic trails across the country to raise funds for the most promising children’s cancer research. Learn more.

For 30 years, CureSearch for Children’s Cancer has worked tirelessly to accelerate the development of more effective, less-toxic children’s cancer treatments. Learn more about the progress we are making thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and advocates like FrankGioscia.

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